Crate Digging: Thomas Cottrell, Senior Music Supervisor

“…Bernard Purdie’s legendary drumming brings in a dose of funk, show[ing] how versatile and vibrant this record is...”

Odyssey by Nubya Garcia

As an avid record collector, I always jump at the chance to get some new bits in. Usually when I’m digging for records in real life, I’m looking for music that I don’t know, however with my frontline pick I saw it as an opportunity to add a record that I’m already loving. I had it narrowed down to Nubya Garcia’s Odyssey, which has been on repeat since we were sent the pre-release, and El Bueno Y El Malo by Hermanos Gutierrez, whose records I already own a couple of. In the end, Nubya’s latest effort pipped it to the post.

I’m a big fan of the new UK jazz movement, and Nubya’s latest album is an excellent addition to this flourishing scene. Her versatility throughout Odyssey is what impresses me most, while there are plenty of sax-led tracks that showcase her signature sound, some of my favourites are the more cinematic, string-based tracks like “Water’s Path,” which really show an astute understanding of story telling. The album flows beautifully from start to finish, which is exactly what you want when listening to vinyl.

Sofrito by Mongo Santamaría

For my catalogue pick, I wanted a record that fits well with my listening habits, both at home and for laid-back DJ sets. Right on brief is the brilliant Afro-Cuban jazz record Sofrito by Mongo Santamaria, a groove-packed instrumental album, rich with rhythm and personality, reissued for the first time since 1976. Having worked one of my first jobs in music looking after reissues and curating compilations in the Afro/Latin world, this record will be a nice addition to my collection.

Tracks like "Iberia," which kicks things off with a breezy, layered groove, and “Secret Admirer,” where Bernard Purdie’s legendary drumming brings in a dose of funk, show how versatile and vibrant this record is. I’m also a fan of the cover which is what initially lured me in, can’t go wrong with a big bowl of sofrito!

Game, set and match - Reznor.

If you’d like to know more, or you’re keen to discover more of our repertoire, please contact: labelsyncuk@concord.com.